CAMRA’s Pub Heritage Group shares news and updates about pubs with historically significant interiors across the country. For further news see the Pub Heritage website here.

Three Star heritage pubs

Garden Gate, Leeds, West Yorkshire

The Garden Gate (main picture above) is now reported as closed. Its deteriorating physical state, which included the failure to repair damage to some of its precious internal fittings, and the very evident running-down of its trading was observed as far back as last autumn. The pub’s co-owners have remained silent and unresponsive to the concerned approaches made on behalf of the Pub Heritage Group and Leeds Civic Trust. Around Christmas time, the situation was reported to both Historic England and Leeds City Council for investigation as a possible Heritage at Risk case, and the Pub Heritage Group is still awaiting feedback. Leeds Civic Trust, however, is now putting pressure on the council’s conservation officers for an updated report in the June meeting of its own Heritage Watch Committee.

White Swan, Birmingham, West Midlands (above)

The departure of well-respected landlord Nigel Barker from the White Swan was reported in the November bulletin. According to the news platform Birmingham World, the pub has reopened after being purchased by Danny Shepherd-Murphy, who also opened the heavy-metal venue the Devil’s Dog in Digbeth. Any further updates about the pub are welcome.

Duke of York, Elton, Derbyshire (above)

The landlady of this remarkably unspoilt village pub, Mary Elliot, died last year. However, Mary’s nephew Anthony is continuing to run the pub. New indoor toilets have been installed and the old outdoor block has been demolished to create a courtyard area.

Black Boy, Avery Hill, Sidcup, Greater London South East (above)

Following a reassessment, the Black Boy has been upgraded to Three Star status. It was built by Ind Coope in 1961/2 and has remained largely unaltered, making it a rare survivor from the post-war period. Unfortunately, no real ale is served at the pub currently.

 

Two Star Heritage Pubs

Falcon, Willenhal, West Midlands (above)

The Pub Heritage Group reported in the November bulletin that the Falcon was up for sale. Sadly, the pub has been victim of an arson attack which has destroyed the interior. Images showing the extent of the damage can be viewed here. An application for change of use to an HMO (house in multiple occupation) has been submitted.

White Swan, Greenside,Tyne & Wear (above)

The White Swan has been upgraded to Two Star status in recognition of the traditional Victorian layout of four rooms with many surviving features.

Howtown Hotel, Howtown, Cumbria (above)

The Howtown Hotel, run by the Baldry family for 120 years, was a delightfully old-fashioned hotel located on the shores of Ullswater. The Pub Heritage Group has learnt that it is now trading as a self-catering establishment with no public access. Consequently, it has been removed from the inventory.

Peasant, Finsbury, Greater London Central (above)

The Peasant (formerly George & Dragon) is currently closed for refurbishment, with no date announced for reopening. The Peasant is included in the Pub Heritage Group’s inventory for its Victorian features and still discernible multi-room layout. 

Following the assessment visit by Pub Heritage Group members reported last month, the following London pubs have been upgraded, or in one case downgraded, to Two Star status:

St Stephen’s Tavern, Westminster, Greater London South West (above)

Built in 1875 and opposite the Palace of Westminster, St Stephen’s Tavern is upgraded to Two Star for the excellent fittings in the front bar from 1898.

Beaconsfield, Finsbury Park, Greater London North (above)

The Beaconsfield has been upgraded to Two Star status for its surviving 1897 fittings which include an island bar counter and a panelled rear room with an excellent display of mirrors.

Rose & Crown, Stoke Newington, Greater London North (above)

Designed by architect AE Sewell and built in 1930-2 by Trumans, the pub retains practically all of its interwar fittings and upper sections of partitions that originally divided the pub into four rooms and off-sales. As a result, the Rose & Crown has been upgraded to Two Star status.

Dog & Duck, Soho, Greater London Central (above)

While the pub has an impressive display of tiling and an interwar bar counter, there are few other historic fittings, and it has lost its partitions. The Pub Heritage Group as downgraded the Dog & Duck to Two Star status.

 

One Star Heritage Pubs

George Tavern, Stepney, Greater London East (above)

Well known as a music and arts venue, the George Tavern has been upgraded to One Star status for its exceptional display of tiled paintings.

Lord Southampton, Kentish Town, Greater London North West (above)

The Pub Heritage Pub Group reported in its January 2022 bulletin that the Lord Southampton was closed and for sale. It was advertised for auction on 16 May, reportedly with minimum opening bid set at £1.5m, with potential for alternative uses. The group is awaiting news of the auction and any new owners.

Fishmongers Tavern, Sheringham Norfolk (above)

Formerly the Dunstable Arms, the pub was rebuilt in 1931 in a Tudor-style, and the newly rebranded Fishmongers Tavern is now open. It appears to be primarily functioning as a restaurant, but the Pub Heritage Group understands there is a separate bar area, and it sells real ale.

Ship Inn, Keynsham, Somerset (above)

The Ship Inn is currently closed. Owned by the Wellington Pub Company, the lease is available through Fleurets and the advertisement can be viewed here.

Highland, Leeds, West Yorkshire

The Highland closed its doors on 29 April with manager Simon Pierce citing spiralling costs and lack of trade. For more information, read the article from the West Leeds Dispatch here.

Bird in Hand, Leek, Staffordshire

Closed in December, the freehold of the Bird in Hand is up for sale with a guide price of £225,000. You can see the Everard Cole advertisement here.

If you have any news for CAMRA’s Heritage Pubs team, send to: info@pubheritage.camra.org.uk. If you wish to receive the bulletins directly, sign up by sending an email to bulletin@pubheritage.camra.org.uk with the word “subscribe” as the subject or “unsubscribe” if you wish to stop receiving bulletins.

Photos by Michael Slaughter, Michael Schouten, Geoff Brandwood and Michael Croxford.